Locking pliers - unique modifications?

[BellyUpFish]

Sitting a work and I was browsing the "Craig's List Morons" thread.. Then a locking pliers post.. Noticed the user had welded some washers to help tighten them, then googled unique uses for locking pliers..

We use them to skin fish..

Just bored and wondering what you guys might be doing unique with these that I might need to do to a set of HF pliers?

 

[MFolks]

When I worked at General Dynamics/Convair in San Diego, the company took a pair of the medium sized locking vice grips, welded on two pieces of metal in the jaws, and used them to squeeze the "Hi-Lok" aerospace fasteners in aircraft and missile parts. I've got a set in my tool box that I use to press motorcycle drive chain master links together.

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/template.asp?pagename=hiloks

 

[parnass]

I installed a split ring (aka key ring) over the bolt in my smallest Vise-Grips and tied a paracord loop to it. The paracord lanyard makes it easier to retrieve the Vise-Grips when I carry it in a belt holster or pocket.

 

[bigfunwmu]

I have a small set with the bolt removed and replaced with a long piece of all-thread. Works great to get a bolt started through hard to reach holes without having to worry about dropping anything.

 

[zkling]

I made one into a slide hammer. Pretty common mod. Really useful for pulling cotter pins and even nails. I've seen people make all things out of them from special clamps to presses to cutting tools.

One tip if you do the slide hammer mod, don't just replace the screw with all thread, make a yoke and replace the pivot point. That way you get all the force you can into the pull and you don't risk damaging the threads.

 

[wayne55]

don't just replace the screw with all thread, make a yoke and replace the pivot point.

Zkling, could you explain this a little more. I was about to do the all thread thing.

 

[stratman977]

I welded an inspection mirror onto one. Clamp it and aim the mirror.

 

[Mastermind]

now theres an idea^

 

[rlitman]

don't just replace the screw with all thread, make a yoke and replace the pivot point.

Zkling, could you explain this a little more. I was about to do the all thread thing.

I just bought a bunch of HDX brand locking pliers on clearance (the price was good enough to clean out the store). So I'm subscribing to this thread, because I bought them with modification in mind.

For the slide hammer mod, the pull should be in-line with the jaws. The handle screw is about 15 degrees offset from that ideal location.

A search on google images turns up this mod from another board that did it right.

 

[steel 35]

This is what I did with a pair a co worker couldn't leave alone. He thought they made a great adjustable wrench when his leatheman couldn't get it done; worked great

 

[Strouty]

I like that one. I may just need to make one myself.

This message was brought to you by your local undertaker.

 

[DenisG]

There are many of them on the homemadetools website:
"vise grips" site:homemadetools.net
(paste above in address bar)

 

[rlitman]

There are many of them on the homemadetools website:
"vise grips" site:homemadetools.net
(paste above in address bar)

There are some interesting ideas there, thanks.

I modified a pair of vise grips to lift bags of ice-melt to my loft using my hoist.
I welded a ring to the handle so I could grab it with a hook.
I replaced the jaws with two lengths of rebar. The serrations on the rebar gave it "tooth" to grab the bags. I ground the ends of the rebar to domes to prevent tearing the bag, and plasti-dipped them for better grip.
I really need to take a pic and upload it.

I plan to modify a pair with copper jaws to be able to grip things without damaging them (like bolts).

Two pairs could be used to modify the clamping block on a flaring tool, but it probably isn't worth re-inventing the wheel with that mod.

 

[zkling]

don't just replace the screw with all thread, make a yoke and replace the pivot point.

Zkling, could you explain this a little more. I was about to do the all thread thing.

There are two ways that you can do it properly IMHO. One you can bolt or weld a threaded coupling to the back side of the fixed handle then attached your slide hammer mechanism to that. Or what I did was make a yoke, just a fraction wider than the jaws. Remove the main pivot point rivet in the jaws and replace with a longer pin to go through the yoke and the pivot point. That way you can apply the hammering force straight out or even at an extreme angle to what ever you are trying to pull. I made one pair needle nose and one pair regular. If you work on rusty or stuck junk they are very handy.

 

[rlitman]

When you say yoke, it sounds like you are describing a clevis.

 

[zkling]

When you say yoke, it sounds like you are describing a clevis.

I think technically yokes are a bit different than a clevis, but yes it is very similar to a clevis. IIRC clevis is more designed for compression loads where as a yoke is more designed for tension loads. You can usually get more rotation out of a yoke vs a clevis.

Ex.
http://www.chicagohardware.com/catalog/30_yoke.pdf

 

[ishiboo]

Interesting, I just found this yesterday on TBN and thought it was a very clever use of locking pliers.

 

[jeremy v]

I don't have any to show pictures of, but I have seen them with a c-clamp welded to the spine of the vise grips so it can be clamped to the edge of a workbench with the vise grip positioned vertically. Then it is used like a small vise for detailed tasks like rotary tool grinding etc.

 

[Farmall450]

That is pretty neat ^

Two up, oops

 

[jeremy v]

That is pretty neat ^

Two up, oops

What, is my non-existent picture not good enough for you?

 

[eyeballengineer]

I use the wide jaw style with a stud welded to the side as ground clamps on my welders

 

[Farmall 1066]

Always used to laugh when I'd drive past the Vise Grip plant in Dewitt. They had some sort of exhaust vent on the side of the building, with a rain cap like used on tractors.
It had a pair of 10WR's clamped on it for a counterweight.
Not so funny these days.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I like to pick them up from HF when on sale. I don't mind hacking at them when they are that cheap.

I welded the jaws on one set years ago and ground them to an offset to make a poor man's set of flanging pliers. Not a lot of area to work with, and today I'd probably widen the jaws a bit, but I still use them like this.



I've been wanting to take a set of pliers and weld on a mounting tab for a work light using an LED desklamp from IKEA:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169658/

I have that desklamp and it would make a great work light in the garage, especially being able to clamp it to the bottom of a vehicle while on the lift. Dang it, now I have to stop by Ikea and get another one.

 

[Zaylor]

Interesting, I just found this yesterday on TBN and thought it was a very clever use of locking pliers.

That is awesome.


A machinist I worked with made a pair of "snipe-nose" vice grips. Which were inevitably destroyed by an employee misusing them...

 

[jeffmoss26]

This tool was used to convert hardwired telephone sets to accept modular jacks.

 

[DenisG]

There are some interesting ideas there, thanks.

I modified a pair of vise grips to lift bags of ice-melt to my loft using my hoist.
I welded a ring to the handle so I could grab it with a hook.
I replaced the jaws with two lengths of rebar. The serrations on the rebar gave it "tooth" to grab the bags. I ground the ends of the rebar to domes to prevent tearing the bag, and plasti-dipped them for better grip.
I really need to take a pic and upload it.

I plan to modify a pair with copper jaws to be able to grip things without damaging them (like bolts).

Two pairs could be used to modify the clamping block on a flaring tool, but it probably isn't worth re-inventing the wheel with that mod.

I would have thought to use a nylon choke sling, but maybe your clamp works faster for your salt melt bag lift. I'd be interested to see your mods.

 

[rlitman]

I would have thought to use a nylon choke sling, but maybe your clamp works faster for your salt melt bag lift. I'd be interested to see your mods.

The clamp makes it super easy.

The "overbite" in the jaws was intentional. It makes the bag wrap a little around the lower jaw, which helps with grip. I started with the welding clamp, so I could grab the bags below the seam (which also prevents them from slipping out).

I wanted something with a tight grip, but it also had to not rip the bags. That's not an issue when lifting with your hands, but anything with a sharp corner could start a tear. Oh, and that "tail" on the handle was an afterthought. I realized that if the handle touched anything on the way up, it could let it open, so I had to prevent that.

It'll happily hold two bags at once, and saved me a load of time when I was lifting them all. As I use them, I lower one at a time. Don't mind the other chain hanging from the hoist hook. I just store it there.

 

[DenisG]

The clamp makes it super easy.

The "overbite" in the jaws was intentional. It makes the bag wrap a little around the lower jaw, which helps with grip. I started with the welding clamp, so I could grab the bags below the seam (which also prevents them from slipping out).

I wanted something with a tight grip, but it also had to not rip the bags. That's not an issue when lifting with your hands, but anything with a sharp corner could start a tear. Oh, and that "tail" on the handle was an afterthought. I realized that if the handle touched anything on the way up, it could let it open, so I had to prevent that.

It'll happily hold two bags at once, and saved me a load of time when I was lifting them all. As I use them, I lower one at a time. Don't mind the other chain hanging from the hoist hook. I just store it there.

Nice mod! Looks like it works well.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Set of Vice-Grips with 1/4-20 studs welded for holding a camera..